Selena Gomez Spills on Starring in 'Spring Breakers' and Returning to 'Wizards'

The talented star talks about her new flicks and highly anticipated album.

March is a big month for Selena Gomez. After reuniting with her Disney castmates on The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex, a one-hour TV special that debuts next Friday, her very buzzy indie film Spring Breakers premieres the following week. Though both are exciting projects for Selena, it's safe to say the star is the only thing they have in common. One is a made-for-TV movie about magical powers on a kid-friendly cable network; the other, a parental-guidance-required flick from a director who is known for his edgy, decidedly not kid-friendly films.

We got the scoop from Selena about returning to Wizards, taking a risk on Spring Breakers, and recording her upcoming album.

After taking a break from filming Wizards, how did it feel to reunite with the cast?
"It was absolutely a blast, but it was kind of weird to get back into it. It took me a couple of days to get back into being Alex. But I've missed the cast. I mean, they've watched me grow up and they've been there from day one. It was so much fun to be back together."

Aside from the usual cast, Awkward star Beau Mirchoff is also in the movie. What was that like?
"Adding Beau in was really fun. He was so sweet and he added a really cool element and did a great job in this role."

In the movie, your character is trying to prove she's no longer a young girl (or wizard, technically speaking). Did you relate to this?
"I feel like I kind of grew up with Alex in a way. We shot the pilot when I was thirteen, so this has been my high school experience. I've definitely experienced the things that Alex has gone through and I feel like I grew up with her in a way."

How do you feel about having such different projects—Wizards and Spring Breakers—coming out within a week?
"That's a very funny question, actually. They were so much fun, I'm so proud of both of them and they serve to different audiences. I think it's really cool that I'm able to do both. I'm so fortunate."

Spring Breakers is very different then anything you've done before. Why was it an important role for you to take?
"I wanted to make sure that the project I did after my show ended was the right one for me. Getting a script from Harmony Korine and working with a director like him was a really incredible opportunity. I learned so much. It started as a little indie movie, so I'm really proud of it. And being able to experience that with three other girls was great. It was a really important time in my life and I'm really thankful for it."

Did you learn a lot from Harmony?
"Yes, absolutely! He's amazing! He really pushed all of us as actors. James was such an incredible part of the project, too. He worked so hard and you've never seen James play a character like this before. Harmony really wanted me to kind of go there and he really inspired me. He encouraged me and never made me feel like I made a wrong choice, and he wanted to see how far I could go. I really appreciate him believing in me because I don't think a lot of other directors would necessarily do that."

Did you watch his other movies to prepare?
"Yeah, I watched all of his movies! They are a little crazy. He did warn me as best as he could, in his defense, but this movie is obviously not as intense as the others. That said, it's definitely a Harmony Korine movie."

Do you relate to Spring Breakers character?
"I feel like the baby of the group and my character was the baby of the group as well. So in that way, I do relate to it. I did look at the girls as older sisters. They were super sweet and protective over me just as they were to the character. That was organic. But she's a little bit more timid and naïve than I would say I am."

Are you still close with your costars even though the movie is over?
"Yeah! Basically, we grew up together on this set! We flew to Europe for ten days and promote Spring Breakers all over the place. We had the best time. I'm super close with all the girls. I love them and they've become like sisters."

What else are you working on?
"I just finished my fourth record, so I'll release the single in April and then I'll tour this summer. I also did two other movies that haven't come out yet. One of them is called The Getaway, with Ethan Hawke, which is a really fun action movie. And then the other, I did with Nat Wolfe and Mary-Louise Parker and it's a fun, dark comedy. I'm hoping that will come out soon."

Snapshots from a recent music video shoot have been all over the internet. Are you as excited for your first single as we are?
"That actually wasn't for my music video! They're just from a photo shoot I did. The pictures were everywhere and my friends were texting me, like, 'What's going on?!' That is exactly why I tell people not to believe what they read on the internet."

Can you give us any scoop about your new album or single?
"It is so much fun. I made a huge fun dance record that I'm so proud of. I got to record twenty or so great songs and work with a bunch of different producers and they're all really fun, pop songs&#8212;a little Ellie Goulding-ish, a little island-y feel. It's a really fun pop record. I'm super stoked for it. It's kind of been hush-hush about it and I'm excited for the single to come out and for my fans to hear it."